Peter Rolston

Related to Karsha Rolston (Owner of Roast Bistro)

If you were a child growing up in the Greater Vancouver area during the 1960s and 70s, then you new all about Pete’s Place and its lovable host, Peter Rolston. Several generations of children crowded around the television faithfully after school and on Saturday mornings between 1960 and 1980 to watch Peter and his friends create a wonderful world of magic, ventriloquism and comedy.

Peter Rolston was born in Vancouver, British Columbia on January 12, 1936. His early years were typical for a child born during the depression, weaned on the war years and brought to adulthood during thet booming 1950s. In 1960, the budding actor, comedian, magician and ventriloquist was engaged as a recurring novelty performer for the Fun Fair, a live Saturday morning children’s show that aired on the newly born CHAN TV (BCTV).

As a ventriloquist, he excelled in breathing life into otherwise inanimate objects, but he soon proved versatile enough as a performer to become a featured character on Carrousel, Side Show, Planet Pals and, finally, on his own show, Pete’s Place. The first episode of Peter’s Place aired July 19, 1965, and over the next 20 years thousands upon thousands of children tuned in regularly to see Pete’s Place on BCTV.

Pete’s Place was a magical world of live sketches, puppets, readings from classical children’s literature, and submissions from viewers, but Peter’s positive influence on children wasn’t limited to television, as his magic and ventriloquism were in demand all over B.C. and the western provinces. He toured exhibitions and festivals, worked the cruise ships, and travelled all over for children’s birthday parties and other special occasions for young and old alike. As “Doodles” The Clown, he did many shows for Woodwards. He was also a long-time regular at the Pacific National Exhibition.

Peter’s love for children was also evinced by his regular support of such events as the Variety Club Telethon, and by his willingness to make the kiddies laugh at places like B.C. Children’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Hospital.

After Pete’s Place went off the air in 1979, Peter went on to become the man inside the Ronald McDonald suit here in BC, and toured extensively in the Ronald McDonald van, bringing laughter to thousands of children right in their own communities.

Peter’s talents, and his love for his craft, were recognized regularly by his peers and audiences alike. As Alexander The Great, he was the 1968 recipient of the Cecil Acker Trophy for excellence in comedy magic… a prize awarded to encourage growth in the fields of comedy club and banquet-style magic. In 1976, he won the Wilf Rutherford Trophy in recognition of his abilities as an outstanding performer of children’s magic. In 1978 he won an ACTRA award for Best Children’s Show. He was also a member of the Shriners’ Magic Circle Club, where he won many awards for his work. He was inducted into the BC Entertainers Hall Of Fame 2009.

Not content to work on his own love for performing, Peter also took it upon himself to help others interested in ventriloquism and magic. He even authored a book entitled “The Magic of Voice Throwing.” Many Canadian and international entertainers owe a debt of gratitude to Peter for showing them the way.

Peter Rolston’s gentle humour and amazing ability to make us laugh left us on June 7, 2006. He was 70 years old. Thanks for the good times, Pete.